If you’ve ever pondered having central air conditioning installed in your house but haven’t been able to take the leap yet, there’s a good chance that the high cost is one of the things that has been stopping you. Yes, it’s true, that central air conditioning does come with some associated costs, but the extra money you’ll have to pay every month can be minimized by taking a few precautionary steps.
If you follow these steps, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of central air conditioning without having to worry about high payments.
The best way to save money on your monthly air conditioning costs is an obvious one: reduce your consumption. To do that, you’ll have to first start with purchasing an air conditioning system that is appropriate for the space you are trying to cool. Look at it this way: If you live in a small apartment, you don’t have the same cooling needs as if you live in a large, multi-level home. Choose a unit that pumps out just enough cooling power, but not too much, and you’ll be off to a good start. If you unsure what size of unit you’ll need, consult the company you’ll be buying the unit from. They will point you in the right direction.
Next, it’s important to always look for an AC unit that features an energy efficiency rating. Although these units may cost a little more upfront, they will run efficiently and use less energy in the long run. That means you’ll save energy each month on your energy bills.
Programmable thermostats are another effective tool for saving on air conditioning costs. These units allow you to program the AC unit to go up or down at certain times of the day. For example, if you are home during the day you’ll want to be cool, but at night when the family is sleeping (and the ambient temperature is usually lower anyway) it’s probably ok to have the house a few degrees warmer. That will help to reduce your consumption and save money.
In addition to installing a programmable thermostat to control consumption during off hours, when you do run your AC, raise it a few degrees from what you are used to. You won’t notice the difference in temperature that much, but you will notice when you save money on your bill. Your AC shouldn’t make your house cold enough that you require a sweater. Instead, set it so you are comfortable in a short-sleeve t-shirt. This temperature will still offer you enough relief from the outside heat, without being so cold that your monthly bills are astronomical.
If you are considering having central air conditioning installed in your house, don’t let the threat of high monthly bills stop you. By taking a few small steps, you can keep your house cool and keep your bills low at the same time.